(The news has finally made it to the other blogs. Interesting how some quote Flyeralk or even reuse my FlyerT link but without quoting me!)
The InterContinental Ambassador program has a public bug / perk that has been known widely for a long time – if you currently hold IHG Diamond status and purchase / renew your Ambassador membership, there’s a very good chance that your Diamond status will be extended for another year for free.
It’s absolutely not a publicised or even intentional side-effect, although it has been around for years since IHG introduced the Spire level. Let’s be clear, there’s no way that IHG isn’t aware of this, and it’s only up to them whether or when they want to fix it.
Sadly, it seems that the door might have been finally shut. Since September 13th, China’s FlyerT forum has reported at least 5 cases where Ambassador renewal failed to extend the Diamond expiry date.
One contributor renewed their membership at an InterContinental hotel, which is always known as the safest way for the extension to work.
(Update: so far I’m yet to see any case of success from September 13th onwards. There are multiple reports from outside China too.)
It’s probably too early to draw a conclusion yet, and we will revisit in one or two weeks. My Ambassador membership just lapsed but I have until early October to renew it, and I was hoping for another renewal bonus. In my opinion, InterContinental Ambassador itself is still well worth the $200 annual fee.
I really hope this is not the case!
Just saw more evidences this morning, so it seems more and more likely now…
Hoping it’s a temporary glitch or that it only affects members based in a specific geographic location. In any case, the earliest I can renew (or extend) my Ambassador membership is at the end of September. Would be a real shame if I lose my Diamond status at the end of 2023.
“One contributor renewed their membership at an InterContinental hotel, which is always known as the safest way for the extension to work.”
And? Did it work or not?
“China’s FlyerT forum has reported at least 5 cases where Ambassador renewal failed to extend the Diamond expiry date.”
I renewed on Sept 12 and Diamond extends Dec 2024:-)
That’s very lucky!
Have you renewed at a hotel in Europe?
The change kicked in on the 13th / 14th, so 12th would have been fine anyway